Destashing my life

Part of Project Mojo (re-establishing my mojo and confidence) requires letting go of a lot of stuff. A lot. Of. Stuff.

So two weeks ago, I scheduled a pickup by an established charitable organization.

Scheduling that appointment online meant not waiting on hold and assured my ability to complete booking the pickup.

The organization I chose even allows/requires you to list what you’re donating: two boxes of clothes, one box of shoes, one tv, one non-working monitor, one working printer … you get the drift. Better yet, you can continue to edit your list, which was crucial to me as I found more stuff to give up.

I gave myself two weeks for the pickup, knowing it would take me one week to give up the obvious stuff, and another week to give up the more difficult to let go of stuff.

Smart move on my part.

I spent that first week adding clothes to several boxes lined up in my entry way whenever I opened my closet, folded laundry, etc. Painless with the added bonus of not having to hang up or put away that fresh laundry. 🙂

But the REAL work didn’t begin until this weekend. I worked all day Sunday, running out of boxes, moving on to Hefty bags, and then plain running out of space to line up my donated goods.

When you get in this mode, it’s increasingly easy to let go of stuff:

How long has that thing sat in a box in a closet?

Seriously, Stacy and Clinton will both tell you to get rid of every piece of clothing that isn’t flattering, in style or safe to wear in public.

All those old computer peripherals that you can’t bear to give up because of the money you spent to procure them? You can buy much better technology, for much less than those once cost.

The most difficult decision, which ended up being the easiest, was my big screen tv. It’s huge. I can’t move it on my own. I put it on a table that I love, but haven’t been able to use since doing so. I want my table back. I don’t even watch tv anymore. I cannot WAIT for this baby to go! (It’s a fab tv, too!)

The exercise bike that I keep tripping over? No brainer.

This is also part of a big plan for new directions for my business, but requires a dedicated studio/work room, which my spare room will become once it’s completely empty. I’m so excited and can’t wait to share more with you about that!

I know you’re all much more skilled at giving stuff up than I am. What tips and tricks do you have to share???

I agree that it gets easier and easier as you do it. In the past, I have downsized from a 2400 sq ft house to a sailboat. That experience alone has kept me from ever becoming a pack-rat again. Occasionally, I feel the urge to collect more stuff, but my inner self always stops me. Thank goodness!